U.S. patent application number 15/332993 was filed with the patent office on 2017-05-18 for on-line advertising.
The applicant listed for this patent is Joshua Howard. Invention is credited to Joshua Howard.
Application Number | 20170140442 15/332993 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58691191 |
Filed Date | 2017-05-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170140442 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Howard; Joshua |
May 18, 2017 |
ON-LINE ADVERTISING
Abstract
A method comprising providing a graphic user interface allowing
one or more users to input user attributes including one or more
buyer profile attributes allowing selection of one or more types of
merchant buyers prefers to interact and one or more merchant
profile attributes allowing selection of one or more types of buyer
the one or more merchants prefers to interact. Parameters may be
input in a free-form manner to replicate meta-data. Multiple user
profiles may be created through an interoperable on-line system
from the user profile attributes. Such profile attributes may be
transmitted the one or more buyer attributes and the one or more
merchant attributes into one or more databases for storage and
retrieval. Users may be notified from one or more merchants when
request parameters of one or more buyers is satisfied by one or
more merchants. Offers may be rejected or accepted.
Inventors: |
Howard; Joshua; (Lexington,
KY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Howard; Joshua |
Lexington |
KY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
58691191 |
Appl. No.: |
15/332993 |
Filed: |
October 24, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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62244770 |
Oct 22, 2015 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 16/22 20190101;
G06Q 30/0277 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 30/02 20060101
G06Q030/02; G06F 17/30 20060101 G06F017/30 |
Claims
1. One or more non-transitory computer-readable media having
computer-executable instructions embodied thereon that, when
executed by a computing device having a processor and memory,
perform a method comprising: providing, by a computing device, a
graphic user interface; communicating, by the computing device from
a first source to a second source, input parameters for a
solicitation; and communicating, by a computing device from the
second source to the first course, the solicitation.
2. One or more non-transitory computer-readable media having
computer-executable instructions embodied thereon that, when
executed by a computing device having a processor and memory,
perform a method comprising: proving a graphic user interface
allowing one or more users to input user attributes; inputting of
one or more buyer profile attributes; inputting of one or more
merchant profile attributes; creating multiple user profiles
through an interoperable on-line system receiving inputs from the
one or more buyer profile attributes and from the one or more
merchant profile attributes; transmitting the one or more buyer
attributes and the one or more merchant attributes into one or more
databases for storage and retrieval; notifying one or more
merchants when request parameters of one or more buyers is
satisfied by one or more merchants; proposing or rejecting one or
more offers to interact with one or more buyers by one or more
merchants; and accepting or rejecting terms proposed by one or more
merchants by one or more buyers based on one or more buyers
responding to the terms proposed.
3. The method of claim 2 further comprising storing user statistics
on one or more databases.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the one or more databases
comprises at least one buyer database.
5. The method of claim 3, wherein the one or more databases
comprises at least one merchant database.
6. One or more non-transitory computer-readable media having
computer-executable instructions embodied thereon that, when
executed by a computing device having a processor and memory,
perform a method comprising: providing a graphic user interface
allowing one or more users to input user attributes; inputting of
one or more buyer profile attributes; selecting one or more types
of merchant the one or more buyers prefers to interact; inputting
of one or more merchant profile attributes; selecting one or more
types of buyer the one or more merchants prefers to interact;
inputting parameters in a free-form manner to replicate meta-data;
creating multiple user profiles through an interoperable on-line
system receiving inputs from the one or more buyer profile
attributes and from the one or more merchant profile attributes;
transmitting the one or more buyer attributes and the one or more
merchant attributes into one or more databases for storage and
retrieval; notifying one or more merchants when request parameters
of one or more buyers is satisfied by one or more merchants;
proposing or rejecting one or more offers to interact with one or
more buyers by one or more merchants; and accepting or rejecting
terms proposed by one or more merchants by one or more buyers based
on one or more buyers responding to the terms proposed.
7. The method of claim 6 further comprising storing user statistics
on one or more databases.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the one or more databases
comprises at least one buyer database.
9. The method of claim 7, wherein the one or more databases
comprises at least one merchant database.
10. The method of claim 7 further comprising tailoring subsequent
solicitations to user based on analysis of stored statistics.
11. The method of claim 6 further comprising providing an on-line
transaction finalization interface to complete a solicitation with
acceptance or rejection of the offered solicitation.
12. The method of claim 6 comprises further selecting one or more
specific merchants the one or more buyers prefer to interact.
13. The method of claim 6 comprising further selecting one or more
specific buyers the one or more merchants prefer to interact.
14. The method of claim 6 comprising further specifying one or more
parameters during input of the one or more merchant profile
attributes.
15. The method of claim 14 comprising further specifying the one or
more parameters as a defined deadline for responding to the
solicitation.
16. The method of claim 14 comprising further specifying the one or
more parameters as a defined budgetary range.
17. The method of claim 14 comprising further specifying the one or
more parameters as specified keywords in responding to user keyword
inputs.
18. The method of claim 14 further comprising selecting a group
fund option.
19. The method of claim 18 comprising further specifying the one or
more individuals to be included in a contributing pool and the one
or more individuals to be included in a receiving pool.
20. The method of claim 19 comprising further specifying a total
limit on the contributing pool and an individual limit within the
contributing pool.
Description
PRIOR APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 62/244,770, filed on Oct. 22, 2015, the disclosure
of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to computer-readable media, systems,
and methods that provide on-line advertising between merchant and
consumers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Applications for mobile devices are becoming increasingly
popular to the average consumer through entertainment or by
accomplishing relatively important tasks and a spectrum of other
uses between the important and entertaining. Such applications, or
"apps", are available for installation on a broad range of mobile
devices that span the spectrum of commercially available
technology, such as mobile terminals and small, low-power handheld
devices, including handheld computers, enterprise digital
assistants (EDAs), Tablet Personal Computers (Tablet PCs),
notebooks, or mobile phones, including so-called smart-phones. Such
applications are either pre-installed on mobile devices during
manufacture or downloaded by customers from various mobile software
distribution (digital distribution) platforms.
[0004] Alternatively, specified apps have a corresponding or
associated web-page based alter ego so that authorized users can
access the application through traditional web-page (URL--uniform
resource locator) interfacing via a dedicated web-page. These
alternatives accommodate situations where mobile network access is
limited or compromised and personal computer (PC) access is readily
available (or vice versa), and at least or until broadband and
wi-fi web-connectivity becomes ubiquitous and uninhibited by
geography and/or topography.
[0005] According to a published industry survey conducted by
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, on-line advertising, encompassing all
digital platforms, continues to grow across all industries.
<http://www.iab.net/media/file/IAB_Internet_Advertising_Revenue_Report-
_FY_2012_rev.pdf> (accessed Aug. 26, 2014). The survey indicates
that revenue from on-line advertising increased from $31.74 billion
in 2011 to $36.57 billion in 2012. For the first six-months of
2013, ad-revenue totaled approximately $20.1 billion, a pace that
would continue the expected upward trajectory of on-line ad revenue
generation. The industries taking advantage of these revenue
streams include retailers, telecommunication companies, financial
service providers, computing products, travel, packaged goods,
entertainment, media, and health care and product providers. As is
clear, on-line advertising cuts a broad path across all competitive
industries.
[0006] Most on-line advertising is accomplished through search and
display techniques. One of the most popular and commonplace
techniques is search engine optimization utilized by on-line search
engines (e.g., Google, Yahoo!, Bing) that often relies on the
interaction between the search engine, the user, and the web-site's
structure and content. One example of a display technique in the
on-line universe is banner ads that may be fixed (static) or
rolling (revolving). Display advertising may be contextual to the
general nature of the web-site visited, behavior according to the
typical visitor profile, or a mix. Presently, search-based
techniques and display-based techniques account for approximately
two-thirds of all on-line generated advertising revenue.
[0007] Despite the large volume of revenue generated yearly by
on-line search and display advertising methods, several problems
persist with such on-line advertising techniques. One significant
on-going problem is the legality and/or privacy concerns raised by
certain techniques, including the use of tracking software and
related digital devices that follow users while browsing on-line so
that the software can create profiles and target advertising at
designated web-pages and/or typical users. A related problem is the
unsolicited nature of the data collection and advertising, which is
mostly out of the control of the targeted user. Consumers are
becoming more sensitive to advertising based on keyword appearances
in sent or received e-mail and recent search engine queries,
finding such advertising unwarranted and intrusive into their
personal lives. Moreover, occasionally, the targeted advertising
contains provocative or even offensive content that many consumers
simply do not welcome.
[0008] Another problem is the on-going cost of an advertising
campaign for an individual advertising party. In traditional
print-media formats, most of the advertising costs existed on the
front-end through the development of the visual and textual indicia
to be used in print, with little to no change occurring once the
campaign was launched. By comparison, in an on-line context, most
of the costs are back-loaded and continuous as the advertiser and
creative team continually modify the advertising in response to
consumer reaction measured through various analytic techniques,
programs, and/or specified metrics. Because of the scope of such
campaigns, and the attempt to change the advertising in approximate
real-time, the advertiser incurs greater and more prolonged costs,
experiences significant inefficiencies with the continuous shift in
visual and textual messaging, as well as tackling technological
challenges through overriding or circumventing controls that try to
prevent or inhibit certain forms of on-line advertising on the
browsing-side. These problems represent significant issues where an
advertising party and its advertising team attempt to tailor ads
and messages for the average consumer that often have conflicting
use and taste profiles.
[0009] Technologically, on-line advertising supports the majority
of free content available via the world wide web, but as a
consequence, tends to clutter individual web-pages and cause slow
load times because of the graphic-intensive nature of these ads.
Because so many of these on-line ads are video in nature,
persistent problems with third-party services (e.g., Adobe Flash)
crashing, requiring content re-loads, re-installation or updates of
the third-party service, or restart of the entire system, consumers
have become frustrated with the avalanche of graphic ads presented.
Moreover, as touch-pads and touch-screens become more prominent,
inadvertent mouse and/or cursor rolling or clicking that
unintentionally launches advertising videos has become an annoying
by-product of such technology.
[0010] Also at issue, without careful review of the proposed
advertising campaign, an advertising party may unwittingly allow
their brand to be featured on or in association with web-sites of
questionable content, integrity, or products and/or services.
Because many advertising agreements and campaigns are geared toward
quantity placement for increased browser traffic, the advertising
party may inadvertently allow their brand to appear in places that
it would otherwise never consider or allow.
[0011] Several attempts have been made to address some or all of
these issues. In particular, ad exchanges and real time bidding
formats have emerged to address ill-targeted advertising
techniques, latency, and related on-line advertising
inefficiencies. For example, SpotXChange (www.spotxchange.com) is a
type of real-time bidding exchange that presents its platform as
akin to the stock market, allowing an advertising party to quickly
identify and bid on ad placement opportunities in virtual real-time
to immediately supply a perceived advertising need. However, such
exchanges and real-time bidding platforms continue to rely upon
user profiles built from user-tracking (e.g., via cookies) methods,
which raise some of the same issues previously raised, in addition
to the inherent technological limitations of such user-tracking
methods that are not compatible to a mobile web-browsing
environment. Accordingly, it is desirable to have a service and
platform that overcomes the problems previously identified.
SUMMARY
[0012] In one embodiment, one or more non-transitory
computer-readable media having computer-executable instructions
embodied thereon that, when executed by a computing device having a
processor and memory, perform a method comprising providing, by a
computing device, a graphic user interface; communicating, by the
computing device from a first source to a second source, input
parameters for a solicitation; and communicating, by a computing
device from the second source to the first course, the
solicitation.
[0013] One or more non-transitory computer-readable media having
computer-executable instructions embodied thereon that, when
executed by a computing device having a processor and memory,
perform a method comprising proving a graphic user interface
allowing one or more users to input user attributes; inputting of
one or more buyer profile attributes; inputting of one or more
merchant profile attributes; creating multiple user profiles
through an interoperable on-line system receiving inputs from the
one or more buyer profile attributes and from the one or more
merchant profile attributes; transmitting the one or more buyer
attributes and the one or more merchant attributes into one or more
databases for storage and retrieval; notifying one or more
merchants when request parameters of one or more buyers is
satisfied by one or more merchants; proposing or rejecting one or
more offers to interact with one or more buyers by one or more
merchants; and accepting or rejecting terms proposed by one or more
merchants by one or more buyers based on one or more buyers
responding to the terms proposed.
[0014] One or more non-transitory computer-readable media having
computer-executable instructions embodied thereon that, when
executed by a computing device having a processor and memory,
perform a method comprising providing a graphic user interface
allowing one or more users to input user attributes; inputting of
one or more buyer profile attributes; selecting one or more types
of merchant the one or more buyers prefers to interact; inputting
of one or more merchant profile attributes; selecting one or more
types of buyer the one or more merchants prefers to interact;
inputting parameters in a free-form manner to replicate meta-data;
creating multiple user profiles through an interoperable on-line
system receiving inputs from the one or more buyer profile
attributes and from the one or more merchant profile attributes;
transmitting the one or more buyer attributes and the one or more
merchant attributes into one or more databases for storage and
retrieval; notifying one or more merchants when request parameters
of one or more buyers is satisfied by one or more merchants;
proposing or rejecting one or more offers to interact with one or
more buyers by one or more merchants; and accepting or rejecting
terms proposed by one or more merchants by one or more buyers based
on one or more buyers responding to the terms proposed.
[0015] In additional embodiments, the method further comprises
storing user statistics on one or more databases, wherein one or
more databases comprise at least one buyer database, and/or wherein
one or more databases comprise at least one merchant database. In
an additional embodiment, the method further comprises tailoring
subsequent solicitations to user based on analysis of stored
statistics.
[0016] In additional embodiments, further comprising selecting a
group fund option, wherein the method further specifies the one or
more individuals to be included in a contributing pool and the one
or more individuals to be included in a receiving pool, and/or
further specifies a total limit on the contributing pool and an
individual limit within the contributing pool.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 generally depicts one or more electronic devices
operatively connected to one or more servers through an Internet
connection;
[0018] FIG. 2 generally depicts the interaction between seller and
potential buyer through a server platform as influenced or
controlled by a platform management application or
sub-application;
[0019] FIG. 3 generally represents one method of a potential
buyer's management and control of the solicitations to be
received;
[0020] FIG. 4 generally represents one form of interaction between
buyer(s) and seller, and FIG. 5 generally represents another form
of interaction between buyer(s) and seller;
[0021] FIG. 6 generally represents an interaction between buyer(s)
and seller including the various forms of notification that may be
utilized;
[0022] FIG. 7 generally represents a group fund option
characteristic of the application method;
[0023] FIG. 8a-FIG. 8g are screen-capture images of the application
method described herein; and
[0024] FIG. 9 generally represents example devices through which
implementation of the described embodiments may be achieved.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT(S)
[0025] It will be readily understood that the components and
elements of the invention, as generally described and illustrated
in the figures herein, may be arranged and designed in a wide
variety of different configurations. Thus, the following detailed
description of the embodiments as represented in the attached
figures, is not intended to limit the scope of the invention as
claimed, but is merely representative of selected embodiments of
the invention.
[0026] The features, structures, or characteristics of the
invention described throughout this specification may be combined
in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. For example, the
usage of the phrases "example embodiments", "some embodiments", or
other similar language, throughout this specification refers to the
fact that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic
described in connection with the embodiment may be included in at
least one embodiment of the invention. Thus, appearances of the
phrases "example embodiments", "in some embodiments", "in other
embodiments", or other similar language, throughout this
specification do not necessarily all refer to the same group of
embodiments, and the described features, structures, or
characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or
more embodiments.
[0027] A plurality of parties, such as consumers and sellers, and
may be interactively-linked to a server via the Internet to allow
interaction between one or more parties. These interactions may be
performed by a variety of devices via executable program
instruction(s) included in one or more memory mediums to facilitate
transfer or exchange of information between interested parties. One
such device may generally include a mobile computing device, such
as a portable computer (e.g., laptops, notebooks, tablets, and/or
notepads), a wearable computer (e.g., watches, wrist-wearable
computers, and/or head-mounted display), and/or a mobile phone
(e.g., cell phone, smart phone, and/or phone pad). Other such
devices generally include personal computing devices, such as a
desktop personal computer. The parties may be categorized or
characterized as sources of information, including a source (S1)
for communicating information or parameters for one or more
commercial solicitations and a source (S2) for communicating one or
more solicitations in response to the parameters.
[0028] As used herein, memory media (or medium if used in singular)
includes a variety of storage media types, such as installation
media (e.g., computer system memory, random access memory such as
DRAM, DDR RAM, SRAM, EDO RAM, CD-ROM, floppy disks, flash drives,
or tape), or non-volatile memory such as magnetic media (e.g., hard
drive disks or optical storage). The memory medium may be located
in a first device exclusively, or in a combination of devices
electronically coupled via an Internet connection. Thus, the term
"memory medium" may include two or more types of memory media types
that may reside in different locations, including in different
devices over a network or combination of networks.
[0029] As used herein, a commercial solicitation(s) is an
invitation or request sent from one party to another party
providing the opportunity to accept, reject, or counter-propose to
an offer (including advertisements) to sell, transfer, lease, or
rent an item, article, or other tangible product and/or a
service.
[0030] As used herein, a product or service is an item for sale by
a seller having certain characteristics that may vary depending on
the unique product or service category. A product may be defined by
its appearance, dimensions, function, and/or other appropriate
unique characteristics. A service may be defined by the type of
activity, the requirements of the service, and/or other appropriate
unique characteristics.
[0031] As used herein, an item may be a tangible or intangible
product or service, or a collection of tangible or intangible
products and/or services.
[0032] In accordance with FIG. 1, an Internet connection 50
electronically linking or coupling one or more electronic devices
60 with one or more servers 70 is depicted, the devices 60
controlled by one or more sources of information, generally denoted
by reference characters S1 and S2. A web application platform 100
is depicted as residing on or within one or more servers 70.
Consistent with the depiction in FIG. 2, the platform 100
facilitates relationship development between one or more merchants
(S1) and one or more consumers (S2) by enabling targeted
advertising from one party to one or more other parties
(information exchange indicated by directional arrows). In this
manner, the platform 100 envisions and may be described as enabling
bilateral entry of two sets of user groups, merchants and
consumers, all of which is managed through a platform management
protocol M integral to the platform 100. Interested merchants and
consumers may utilize the platform 100 to initiate business
relationship development opportunities in a variety of ways.
[0033] In general, a web application platform and system 100 will
require all users to register with the service by filling-out a
form for the mobile and/or web-based application before authorized
use of the application system and method will be permitted.
Creating a new user profile may be effectuated through multiple
means, including through the use of existing social media profiles
(e.g., Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter), e-mail platforms, or other
interoperable on-line systems.
[0034] Upon proper log-in authorization, denoted by steps 200 (FIG.
4) and 210 (FIG. 5) in FIG. 3, the authorized user may generally
input certain parameters, data, and information as desired,
otherwise understood to be user profile attributes, and further
understood to be buyer (user-type) profile attributes and seller
(user-type) profile attributes. The (buyer and/or merchant) user
may select the type of merchant/seller the user is or that the user
wishes to interact, and may select a specific merchant/seller if so
desired. The user may also select specific categories and
characteristics. The user, generally envisioned as the
merchant/seller, may specify the deadline for response, any
budgetary inputs, keywords, and any other specific notes,
parameters, or characters desired. All information input and
submitted will be transmitted through a custom REST API to a global
remote database, or multiple databases if necessary, for storage
and retrieval. Any request parameters satisfied by a potential
buyer may result in a notification message to the seller. After the
user inputs and feedback are communicated, the potential consumer
may either accept or reject the proposed terms 208/216.
[0035] For example, consistent with the schematic of FIG. 4, a
consumer S1 may initiate a request for a product or service from
one or more merchants S2. In such an embodiment, the consumer S1
generally selects the type of merchant and the product(s) and/or
service(s) 202. The merchant(s) S2 identified from the type
selected list receive notification request 204 indicating that a
potential consumer S1 is interested in purchasing
product(s)/service(s). Thereafter, the merchant(s) S2 may elect to
respond or not respond to the consumer S1 request 206. If the
merchant(s) S2 elect to respond, the consumer S1 will receive one
or more notifications or offers from merchant(s) S2, and if no
offer is forthcoming, then no notification or offer is received
208.
[0036] Alternatively, consistent with the schematic of FIG. 5, a
merchant S1 may initiate an offer for a product or service for sale
to the universe of subscribing consumers S2. A merchant S1 may
offer an individual 212. The merchant S1 may post an advertisement
or offer for a product or service 214. A consumer S2 elects the
posted advertisement or offer, saving or purchasing the coupon,
code, or other indicia of the offer for redemption 216. Thereafter,
the consumer S2 redeems the coupon/voucher or code with the
appropriate merchant 218. These general examples will be amplified
herein. Although bilateral entry is envisioned, as is apparent, one
of the users initiates a proposed business relationship by offering
(by a merchant) or requesting an offer (by a consumer) to transact
a sale of a good(s) and/or service(s), thereby facilitating a
(potential) back-and-forth negotiation between sources S1 and
S2.
[0037] Building upon that described and discussed in accordance
with FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the steps of FIG. 6 depict the relay of
information between the sender and recipient. The sender 302 may
represent merchant/seller or consumer. The sender 302 provides
information input via a message that initiates a solicitation to
the other party, generally corresponding to steps 202 (FIG. 4) and
212 (FIG. 5). The input generates a message and solicitation that
is communicated to the merchant/seller's device 250. Solicitation
selection 260 is performed in communication and coordination with
the one or more databases 500 external to the system. One or more
solicitation delivery modules 270 may be provided to deliver
messages, solicitations/offers, and/or other information between
the merchant and buyer.
[0038] The merchant/seller may view the buyer's request using
either the merchant/seller mobile application (on a mobile device)
or desktop website (for stationary computing). The mobile
application and website are powered by the server(s) that host the
remote database(s). A merchant/seller may choose to respond to the
request or not, with such a selection generating an update to the
remote database(s) (e.g., 500). A merchant/seller's response to the
buyer is in the form of a unique solicitation (in the form of an
advertisement or offer) sent to the buyer, and the buyer is
notified through push-notification messaging (FIG. 6--600). The
buyer may then save purchase or redeem the merchant/seller's
solicitation. The buyer may save such a solicitation in the form of
a bar-coded coupon, or other coupon appropriately formatted for
quick and easy use.
[0039] It is envisioned that the mobile and web-based application
platform will store vital statistics and allow merchant/seller
and/or buyer to retrieve, sort, and analyze selling and/or
purchasing decisions. Such analytic history will allow all users to
closely monitor, examine, and modify selling and/or purchasing
decisions based on price, savings, quality, and other parameters
stored in the database(s). Based on the data and information, a
merchant may be able to advantageously create tailored
solicitations for the subscribing consumer base to consider,
including offers on products and/or services that may not be
available to the general public or may be severely restricted by
inventory and/or time sensitivities.
[0040] The web application platform 100 includes a graphic user
interface for all parties to input parameters, data, and
information and to facilitate communication between potentially
transacting parties. The parties or sources (S1, S2) of such
commercial solicitations may comprise a variety of individuals,
plurality of individuals, groups, partnerships, corporations, and
other legally permissible affiliations of persons. In one example,
a first source (S1) may comprise a seller of product or service,
and the second source (S2) may comprise a potential consumer or
buyer of such product or service. Via an Internet connection and
coupled Internet connectivity through one or more servers, the
sources (S1, S2) may interact by the exchange of information, and
thereby allow the sources (S1, S2) to textually agree or disagree
to transact the sale or purchase of a product and/or service (to be
consummated through a separate on-line or offline exchange).
[0041] In one example, a seller of a product or service, or of
multiple products and/or services, may be the first source (S1),
may input information, including one or more features and/or
characteristics connected to the product and/or service that may be
used by other parties to identify potential products and/or
services available for purchase via the graphic user interface. The
graphic user interface allows the first source (S1) seller to
select from a variety of product and service listings and define
the product or service by as many or few characteristics as
desired. Optionally, the first source (S1) seller may be able to
input other characteristics or parameters in a free form manner to
replicate meta-data or the like, increasing the flexibility of the
application platform and graphic user interface provided.
[0042] It is envisioned that a database will store information
about the sellers, the products and/or services, and the buyers. It
is further envisioned that separate databases for the sellers and
the buyers will be maintained, and the associated products and/or
services to be exchanged by the parties. Such information input by
one or more parties, to be stored and retained by the database(s),
may include color, dimension, location, seller or buyer name,
seller or buyer address and contact information, manufacture name,
model number, quantity available, tracking capabilities, buyer
and/or seller recommendation(s), and the like. Such inputs may be
used as filters for listing and/or finding products and/or
services.
[0043] A deal can be finalized and completion of the transaction
can be arranged for on-line (separate from the web application
platform) or off-line finalization. For example, a first source
(S1) buyer may determine that s/he will want to dine in a
particular area and among a personalized list of restaurants at
certain date and time window. The first source (S1) buyer may input
the information, including relevant date, time-window, and related
accommodations or other desires, such as coat-checking and/or valet
parking options, and transmit such a solicitation through the
application platform and server(s) for consideration.
[0044] One or more second source (S2) seller(s) may receive such a
solicitation and consider the solicitation in light of availability
of reservation(s) for that date and time, and any related
accommodations or other requests transmitted by the first source
(S1) buyer. The second source (S2) seller may be able to satisfy
all, some, or but one of the proposed terms provided by the first
source (S1) buyer, and may communicate the proposed terms through
the application platform and server(s). In this manner, the second
source (S2) seller, in the form of a restaurant manager or other
authorized user, may be able to tailor the proposed dining
experience and accommodations in a manner not typically available
to standard dining reservation requests made by phone. And, this
facilitated interaction allows the second source (S2) seller the
flexibility to reduce certain fees or charges, or provide food,
beverage, and/or services above that typically paid by a standard
diner, thereby accommodating windows of time that are not filled to
reservation capacity or attracting new customers. In the event that
the restaurant is reserved to capacity during the desired
time-windows, the authorized restaurant user can simply decline the
transmitted solicitation, or transmit a counter-proposal for a
different time-window or other alternative(s) that may be
accommodated by the restaurant.
[0045] In another example, the first source (S1) buyer may be
attempting to purchase a product or tangible good (e.g., golf
club), and provides the relevant information to the second source
(S2) seller via the application platform and server(s). The second
source (S2) seller may be able to tailor the corresponding response
to first source (S1) buyer to encourage an agreement to purchase a
golf club, multiple golf clubs, a set of clubs, and/or golf
accessories at a discounted aggregate price. Through this
flexibility, the second source (S2) seller has the ability to leave
a favorable impression with the first source (S1) buyer, move
merchandise that is difficult to move or becoming stale, and create
a word-of-mouth benefit that may attract friends and colleagues of
the first source (S1) buyer.
[0046] In another example, a civic arena or auditorium (second
source (S2) seller) may be able to push less desirable concert or
event tickets based on the information input of a would-be ticket
purchaser (first source (S1) buyer), especially a buyer interested
in concert or event ticket prices at or below a certain threshold
in combination with a particular type of event.
[0047] Regardless of the origination of the solicitation, either
source (S1, S2) may hold the solicitation open for a pre-determined
period of time, either to a specified individual target or to an
unspecified group comprising potential individual targets.
Optionally, other parameters may be set, including expiration of a
solicitation based on quantified number of accepted solicitations,
undisclosed price thresholds, and the like.
[0048] The web application platform 100 system and method receives
a solicitation from the respective source(s)(S1) and communicates
the solicitation to one or more parties or sources (S2) by a
variety of means, including by external or internal e-mail inboxes,
instant messaging, text messaging, SMS messaging, and other similar
notification processes. It is envisioned that these notification
messages may be performed through push-notification whereby a
response to an outstanding request, message, or solicitation will
generate and transmit a message communicating such to the targeted
recipient for further action. Alternatively, it is envisioned that
the notification feature may be set to not only receive messages
via text and/or push notification of email messages, but also
allows the user to select, include, exclude, and/or opt-out of
receiving messages from multiple and various sources, as well as
identifying specific windows of time to receive and/or not-receive
such messages and/or information. Thus, it is believed that a
feature of the system includes identifying specified times to
include or exclude receipt of messages, and/or include or exclude
receipt of messages from specified sources or senders.
[0049] Another feature of the platform 100 includes the option of
providing a group fund or pool. In accordance with the schematic
depicted in FIG. 7, a buyer or user selects the group fund option
700. The buyer selects the family and/or friends for inclusion in
the contributing pool 702, and also selects the individual or group
of individuals to receive the group fund gift 704. The order of
selection between 702 and 704 is not critical. Thereafter, the user
selects the product(s) and/or service(s) to be purchased 706a, sets
the total limit on the funding pool 706b, and sets a per person
limit for the respective contributions 706c. Once the group fund
reaches the appropriate limit to secure the product(s) and/or
service(s), the group fund gift is sent to the recipient 708, which
may take a variety of forms, including coupon, code, indicia, and
other textual or visual messaging schemes. Thereafter, the
recipient may redeem the gift in a separate transaction 710.
[0050] FIGS. 8a-8g are screen-capture images representing various
aspects and characteristics of the application method described
herein. In particular, FIGS. 8a-8g represent one of many potential
user interface forms or formats that may be utilized to facilitate
one or more transactions between the users within the application
network. For example, FIG. 8a represents a home preferences page
for each user logged-in, allowing for a variety of selections,
including the multiple promotions offered from the network,
preferences, saved items, and the like. Of the many user preference
selection(s) available, FIG. 8b represents the user's ability to
control the time window (if desired) of when s/he receives a
notification regarding the solicitation parameters selected by the
user. FIG. 8c represents a selection screen interface that
indicates which merchant(s) offer various perks to the buyer(s). In
this example, a list indicating the merchant(s), bar-code
information, points, and rewards of a particular user may be
aggregating. In this way, the user may be reminded of which
merchant(s) s/he has rewards available or for which rewards are
desired for collection at that time. FIGS. 8d and 8e represents an
interface indicating if, how many, and by identification which
merchant(s) the buyer(s) may have notification requests. In
addition, the ability to add or remove merchant(s) from the
notification request list is available. FIG. 8f represents one of
many selection options customizable according to the consumer's
preference. In FIG. 8f, the interface indicates that a restaurant
is selected. The application method requests entry of a style or
type of food preference, thereby matching any available merchant
offers to the user's preference. FIG. 8g represents one of the
selection options customizable by several categories. For example,
a user may enter a deadline or expiration connected with the
notifications. The user may separately set a budget limit for the
type of solicitation s/he wishes to receive. The user may also use
keyword entry(ies) to expand or limit the selections offered. In
this example, the user may enter as few or as many keywords into
the database. Upon completion, the application method will search
for merchants and offers that match the keyword entries provided.
Moreover, the user may enter additional notes and reminders for
future reference and for assistance in setting future offers and/or
tweaking such offers.
[0051] The embodiments can be implemented in digital electronic
circuitry, or in computer hardware, firmware, software, or in
combinations of these elements. The invention can be implemented as
a computer program product, for example, in a machine-readable
storage device, for execution by, or to control the operation of,
data processing apparatus, for example, a programmable processor, a
computer, or multiple computers. A computer program can be written
in any form of programming language, including compiled or
interpreted languages, and it can be deployed in any form,
including as a stand-alone program or as a module, component,
subroutine, or other unit suitable for use in a computing
environment. A computer program can be deployed to be executed on
one computer or on multiple computers at one site or distributed
across multiple sites and interconnected by a communication
network.
[0052] Method operations of the embodiment of the invention can be
performed by one or more programmable processors executing a
computer program to perform functions of the invention by operating
on input data and generating output. Method operations can also be
performed by, and apparatus of the invention can be implemented as,
special purpose logic circuitry, for example, an FPGA (field
programmable gate array) or an ASIC (application-specific
integrated circuit). Moreover, logic circuits and/or circuitry may
include one or more combination of devices such as multiplexers,
registers, arithmetic logic units, computer memory, and/or
microprocessors, and in combination may possess a plurality (or
even a large plurality) of logic gates through which the disclosed
methods, processes, and/or operations may occur.
[0053] Processors suitable for the execution of a computer program
include, by way of example, both general and special purpose
microprocessors, and any one or more processors of any kind of
digital computer. Generally, a processor will receive instructions
and data from a read-only memory or a random access memory or both.
The essential elements of a computer are a processor for executing
instructions and one or more memory devices for storing
instructions and data. Generally, a computer will also include, or
be operatively coupled to receive data from or transfer data to, or
both, one or more mass storage devices for storing data, e.g.,
magnetic, magneto-optical disks, or optical disks. Information
carriers suitable for embodying computer program instructions and
data include all forms of non-volatile memory, including by way of
example semiconductor memory devices, for example, EPROM, EEPROM,
and flash memory devices; magnetic disks, for example, internal
hard disks or removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and CD-ROM
and DVD-ROM disks. The processor and the memory can be supplemented
by, or incorporated in special purpose logic circuitry.
[0054] For example, FIG. 9 discloses and represents the
implementation of the aforementioned embodiment(s) and/or
combination of embodiments, whereby the method, system, and
operation of the application is embodied in the form of digital
electronic circuitry, hardware, firmware, software, and/or in
combinations of these tangible devices. of a generic computer
device 800 and a generic mobile computer device 900. The device 800
may include various forms of digital computers, including desktops,
workstations, laptops, various forms of servers, mainframes, and
other similar devices. The device 900 may include various forms of
mobile devices or electronics, including cellular telephones,
smartphones, various mobile devices, personal digital assistant
devices, and other similar devices or electronics. The devices 800
and 900 may be used to implement the methods, systems, and
operations or processes described herewith, including on both the
mobile-side and server-side for installing a computer program from
computer to a mobile device or similarly to a mobile device from a
computer. The tangible elements or components depicted along with
the interconnections and interrelationships, including functions,
are only intended to be exemplary and are not intended to impose a
limit on the implementations of the embodiments described and/or
claimed herein.
[0055] Computing device 800 includes a processor 802, memory 804, a
storage device 806, a high-speed interface 808 connecting to memory
804 and high-speed expansion ports 810, and a low speed interface
812 connecting to low speed bus 814 and storage device 806. The
components 802-812 are interconnected using various busses and may
be mounted on a common printed circuit board or logic board, or in
another manner as may be more suitable.
[0056] The processor 802 processes executable instructions that are
carried out within the device 800. These executable instructions
may include instructions stored in memory 804 or on storage device
806 that may then be displayed via a GUI on a dedicated display 816
that may be coupled to high speed interface 808. It is envisioned
that multiple processors and/or multiple busses may be utilized
with multiple types of memory. It is also envisioned that multiple
devices 800 may be interconnected so that each device provides a
portion of the necessary operations (e.g., as a server bank).
[0057] Memory 804 stores information within device 800. In one
embodiment, memory 804 is a volatile memory unit or multiple
volatile memory units, such dynamic random access memory (DRAM) and
static random access memory (SRAM). In another embodiment, the
memory 804 is a non-volatile memory unit or multiple non-volatile
memory units. Memory 804 may also comprise another form of
computer-readable medium, such as a fixed or removable magnetic or
optical disk. As noted above, memory 804 may include a variety of
separate or combined forms, including but not limited to all forms
of non-volatile memory, including by way of example semiconductor
memory devices, for example, EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory
devices; magnetic disks, for example, internal hard disks or
removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and CD-ROM and DVD-ROM
disks.
[0058] The storage device 806 is capable of providing mass storage
for the computing device 800. In one embodiment, the storage device
806 may be or contain a computer-readable medium, including any of
the persistent and/or solid-state memory devices listed above,
and/or an array of devices, including devices in a storage area
network. A computer program product can be tangibly embodied in a
data object or database. The computer program product may also
contain executable instructions that perform one or more methods or
operations, or perform one or more methods or operations within a
system, such as those described above. The data object may be a
non-transitory computer- or machine-readable storage medium, such
as memory 804, the storage device 806, or memory on processor
802.
[0059] In one example, data transfer is managed and controlled in
part by interfaces 808 and 812. The high speed interface 808
manages bandwidth-intensive operations for device 800, while the
low speed interface 812 manages lower bandwidth-intensive
operations. The interface 808 is coupled to memory 804, display
816, and to high-speed expansion ports 810, which may accept
expansion units. In the embodiment, low-speed interface 812 is
coupled to storage device 806 and low-speed expansion port 814. The
expansion port 814, which may include various types or forms of
communication ports (such as Bluetooth, Ethernet, wireless
Ethernet, and USB formats), may be coupled to one or more
input/output devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse or touchpad, a
scanner, or a networking device such as a switch or router.
[0060] Device 800 may be embodied in a number of different forms or
types, including as a rack server, 820, a standard server 822,
and/or a laptop computer 824. In addition, components from device
800 may be combined with other components in a mobile device 900
(and as described in greater detail below). It is envisioned that
each device may include one or more of devices 800 and/or 900. It
is further envisioned that an entire system may comprise or include
multiple computing devices 800 and/or 900 interoperable and
communicating with one another.
[0061] Device 900 includes a processor 902, memory 904, an
input/output device in the form of a graphic display 906, a
communication interface 908, and a transceiver 910. Device 900 may
also include a storage device. Each of the elements 900-910 are
interconnected using various busses and may be mounted on a common
printed circuit board or logic board, or in another manner as may
be more suitable.
[0062] Processor 902 can execute instructions within the computing
device 900, including executable instructions stored in the memory
904. Processor 902 may be embodied as a chipset of chips that
include separate and multiple analog and digital processors.
Processor 902 may provide for coordination of the other components
of the device 900, such as controlling user interfaces, the
applications or operations ran by device 900, and the wireless
communication of device 900.
[0063] Processor 902 may communicate with a user through control
interface 908 and display interface 912 coupled to a display 906.
The display interface 912 may comprise appropriate circuitry for
driving the display 906 to present graphical and other information.
The control interface 914 receives commands from a user and
converts the commands for submission to the processor 902. In
addition, an external interface 918 may be provided in
communication with processor 902 enabling a near-area communication
of device 900 with other devices. External interface 918 may also
allow for wired and/or wireless communication, including the
utilization of multiple interfaces.
[0064] Memory 904 stores information within the computing device
900. Memory 904 can be embodied as one or more of a
computer-readable medium or media, a volatile memory unit or units,
or a non-volatile memory unit or units. Expansion memory 920 may be
included and connected to device 900 via an expansion interface
922. The expansion interface 922 may include a SIMM (Single In Line
Memory Module) card interface as but one example. Expansion memory
920 may provide extra storage space for device 900, or may also
store applications or other information for device 900. In
addition, expansion memory 920 may include instructions to execute
or supplement execution of instructions and/or processes described
above, and may also include secure information. Expansion memory
920 may serve as a security module for device 900, and may be
programmed with executable instructions that permit secure use of
device 900 through installed or programmed security protocols.
Moreover, secure applications may be provided via the SIMM cards,
such as installing identifying information on the SIMM card in a
manner that may not be compromised or hacked.
[0065] Memory 904 may include flash memory and/or non-volatile
random access memory. In one embodiment, a computer program product
is tangibly embodied in a data object. The computer program product
may also contain executable instructions that perform one or more
methods or operations, or perform one or more methods or operations
within a system, such as those described above. The data object is
a computer- or machine-readable medium, such as the memory 904,
expansion memory 920, memory on processor 902, or a propagated
signal that may be received via a transceiver 910 or external
interface 918.
[0066] Device 900 may communicate wirelessly through communication
interface 908. Communication interface 908 may provide for
communications under various protocols, such as SMS, MMS messaging,
GSM voice calls, EMS, CDMA, WCDMA, TDMA, PDC, GPRS, and/or
CDMA2000, among several other protocols available. Such
communication may occur through radio-frequency transceiver 910. In
addition, short-range communication may occur, such as using a
wi-fi, Bluetooth, or another transceiver. In addition, GPS (Global
Positioning System) receiver module 924 may provide additional
navigation and/or location-related wireless data to device 900.
[0067] Device 900 may also communicate audibly using audio codec
916. Audio codec 916 may likewise generate audible sound for a user
through a speaker and/or in a handset of device 900. Such sound may
include sound from voice telephone calls, recorded sound, and/or
sound generated by applications operating on device 900.
[0068] Device 900 may be embodied by a number of different forms,
including as a cellular telephone 926 and/or a smartphone 928, or
other similar mobile device.
[0069] These computer programs (also known as programs, software,
software applications or code) include machine instructions for a
programmable processor, and can be implemented in a high-level
procedural and/or object-oriented programming language, and/or in
assembly/machine language.
[0070] To provide for interaction with a user, the systems and
techniques described here can be implemented on a computer having a
display device for displaying information to the user and a
keyboard and a pointing device by which the user can provide input
to the computer. Other kinds of devices can be used to provide for
interaction with a user as well; and input from the user can be
received in any form, including acoustic, speech, or tactile
input.
[0071] The systems and techniques described here may be embodied in
a computing system that includes a back end component (e.g., a data
server), or that includes a middleware component (e.g., an
application server), or that includes a front end component (e.g.,
a client computer having a graphical user interface or a Web
browser through which a user can interact with an implementation of
the systems and techniques described here), or any combination of
such back end, middleware, or front end components. The components
of the system can be interconnected by any form or medium of
digital data communication (e.g., a communication network).
Examples of communication networks include a local area network
("LAN"), a wide area network ("WAN"), and the Internet.
[0072] The computing system can include clients and servers. A
client and server are generally remote from each other and
typically interact through a communication network. The
relationship of client and server arises by virtue of computer
programs running on the respective computers and having a
client-server relationship to each other.
[0073] It is to be understood that the embodiments and claims are
not limited in application to the details of construction and
arrangement of the components set forth in the description and/or
illustrated in drawings. Rather, the description and/or the
drawings provide examples of the embodiments envisioned, but the
claims are not limited to any particular embodiment or a preferred
embodiment disclosed and/or identified in the specification. Any
drawing figures that may be provided are for illustrative purposes
only, and merely provide practical examples of the invention
disclosed herein. Therefore, any drawing figures provided should
not be viewed as restricting the scope of the claims to what is
depicted.
[0074] The embodiments and claims disclosed herein are further
capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out
in various ways, including various combinations and
sub-combinations of the features described above but that may not
have been explicitly disclosed in specific combinations and
sub-combinations.
[0075] Accordingly, those skilled in the art will appreciate that
the conception upon which the embodiments and claims are based may
be readily utilized as a basis for the design of other structures,
methods, and systems. In addition, it is to be understood that the
phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purposes of
description and should not be regarded as limiting the claims.
* * * * *
References